Many years ago, I crawled out of my tent to the sounds of chirping birds, glanced around the campsite, and discovered a raccoon had visited in the night. Among much evidence of the culprit's identity, the most telling piece proved to be the adorable paw print left on top of a soft cooler. I remembered … Continue reading Campsite Bandit
Personal Note
Gut It Out!
Do you trust your instincts? Should you? If you start something big (a job, a relationship, a project, a trip) and you immediately feel it's not right, what's your pattern? Do you see it through no matter what, or do you start looking for the exit? I'm sure that the answers for you (like me) … Continue reading Gut It Out!
Year O: Launch!
As I climbed out of the crater, the calendar said it was the end of the year. But there are other calendars. Nan told me that her people live by three of them. "The stars tell us what to do," she said. "The moon tells us when to do these things, and the sun gives … Continue reading Year O: Launch!
Perfection’s Rough Draft
One of my few accomplishments during the quarantining last year (besides an epic four part poem about dust, and five poems about national park grief) involved creating a Halloween costume, buying all the parts, fitting it into a perfect storage container, and even labelling it. Then I put it in my closet, the quarantine never … Continue reading Perfection’s Rough Draft
Christmas Cheer
I promised to tell you about a Campfire Tales tradition. A few years ago, on a river cruise down the Danube during December, I discovered the joy of gluhwein at the Christkindlmarkt. (Translations: mulled wine; Christmas Market.) Once home, I sought out a recipe (this one, I think it was) and now I make it … Continue reading Christmas Cheer
Hang in There, Northern California
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. ~ Proverbs 25:25, NIV Please know, the cold water reaching you will be good news in this distant land. Also, thoughts and prayers are with you!
Dear So-and-so
Maybe you, like me, have a lot of time on your hands lately? I have an excellent suggestion for you! I've been scanning everything that will pass through the scanner (yes, and a couple of things that shouldn't have been attempted). Last night, while hunting for some fun photos to share with you today, I … Continue reading Dear So-and-so
Memorial Day (2020): Step Into the Sunshine
Happy Memorial Day! Oh, you're not American, you don't see your flag represented, and/or that's not your holiday? Or you are American but you disagree with _____? Well gee then, you're free to go. In fact, I'm sure whatever freedoms you do enjoy didn't come at a cost to you or anyone else, so there's … Continue reading Memorial Day (2020): Step Into the Sunshine
Letters With Jimmy
From me to The Honorable Jimmy Carter: Dear Mr. Carter, Over several months during my 8th grade year, a friend and I retreated on our lunch period to a far corner of the junior high school campus (overlooking the graveyard across the street). There I would explain – in exacting detail, like a Faulknerian narrator … Continue reading Letters With Jimmy
Survive-aversary Party!
Eleven years ago today I found myself undergoing emergency surgery. "Elective surgery," I might add, considering the surgeon gave me two choices: have the surgery and possibly die, OR don't have the surgery and possibly die. I chose: Surgery, and to Live. (More of that story here.) From that day on, I joyfully observed my, … Continue reading Survive-aversary Party!
